The dragon must be fierce and aggressive.

They must not show any mercy to their prey and enemy.

The dragon must not cower from a battle.

It will spell death and humiliation to the world favoring strength.

The dragon must never lose a fight.

Victory will bring survival and fame as the feared might.

And lastly, the dragon must never wish for hope and peace.

As the life of one means a curse and restless life of the hunter or the hunted.

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[You have lost track of the mana of the [Fledgling].]

It seems like my blaze is too much for a mere fledgling like him. What a shame. He seems to have the full potential to be someone I admire.

[??? used [Detect].]

...

[You detect no mana around this area.]

Ah... This is disappointing. The fledgling is gone from this world so easily. Might as well...

"Don't think I'm a burning corpse yet, you overgrown lizard!"

[You found the mana of the [Fledgling].]

!!!

WHAT?! But how?! Where did that fledgling go off to?!

[Mana located. [Fledgling] is above [???].]

That little son of the b-

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Hah! It worked! It didn't take long for that dragon to be fooled by my disappearing act. And I can't believe it's thanks to this new spell that suddenly popped into my head.

[Shadow Blaze]. It's a spell that seems to combine [Fire Stream] and [Shadow Bullet] and let me create a stream of flame that resembled the dragon's black flames. It was not much the exact color, but it was enough to fool them long enough to use my spell as a jet boost to jump as high as I can before the scorched flames could get me. Sure, the heat caused me to discard my jacket and untie my yellow necktie to cool off. But it's a small price to pay to beat this arrogant lizard down a peg. Not to mention I'm a few feet above the dragon, which is enough to finally finish them off once and for all.

You little smartass. I don't know how you escaped my blaze, but there is no way you can hit me at that height unless you want to throw your puny life away! Or have you forgotten I can fly and eat you up before you can reach me?

I grinned once I heard their stupid rants at how high and mighty they were against me. "I know that, you hotheaded lizard. That's why I will make sure you won't get that chance!"

I cast another [Shadow Blaze] behind me, acting as a booster to zip me right through my target in a form of the dragon's head. It has more firepower than a normal [Fire Stream], so I get enough momentum for my final attack which involves coating my fist with [Fire Aura], a spell that imbued it with fire magic and [Dark Aura] to combine it with darkness.

I told you, fledgling! It is futile for your attempts to hurt me! Don't forget who are you facing right now!

"I don't need to wound you. I just need..."

[You activated [Martial Arts].]

"... one good hit on your thick skull!"

With a speed on par with a rocket, I dashed to the dragon's head and raised my enchanted fist toward it.

"Now eat this, bastard!"

I screamed at the top of my lungs as I threw my fist just as I made contact with their head. I could feel the heat piercing through my skin as I pushed my fist closer and closer to their forehead. But I kept going. I kept going with my mind focused on one thing. To make this lizard fall and give them the biggest migraine of their life.

Just fall. Just fall. Just fall. Just fall! Just fall!

Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall! Fall!

"FALL ALREADY!!!"

I screamed louder and louder until my voice was gone. I kept going until I heard a crack and some kind of glass broke through my fist. I was initially confused at this, thinking it was only my glasses that broke from the heat or the recoil of my attack. But it didn't matter. As my spells wore off, I watched the dragon roar as its head fell on the ground while I find myself starting to follow since my [Shadow Stream] supporting me in mid-air was gone. And I was too high to land safely on the ground.

I wish I could fire another spell to stop me from becoming a bloody stain on the ground. But it seemed that fight drained most of my energy and mana I have in me. Was this the way I would die now?

Yeah, right. As if I wanted to die like this. I won the "fight", so what more do you want?

Oh well... I feel like I'm losing consciousness... I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I just need one more thing to say for the dragon. Something to give me some form of catharsis after the "fight".

"Serves you right...for insulting me..."

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THUD!

I groaned as I felt the pain after hitting my head on the ground. Not only that was stupid, but a bit reckless on my end. But still, seeing him on the ground with a bump on his head before he got up was worth it...

THWACK!

"Ow!!!" I screamed. "What was that all about?!"

"For doing something stupid again," he said. "What the hell are you thinking using those spells?"

I groaned again as I rubbed my forehead. "You said I have to use by any means necessary to defeat you in a spar. You never specify how much risk I can use anyway."

THWACK!

I screamed in pain when he flicked my forehead again.

"Those are two different things, kid. Sure, the risk is everything in exchange for victory. But you have to keep in mind how much you lose and how much you won't be able to regain afterward. We might be --, but we're not invulnerable. Keep that in mind when fighting against your own kind."

This again? I thought we were done with this lesson. "Tell a guy who is the most powerful – of all –."

"Hahaha... You do realize I was —."

He's got a point there. I slowly got up from the ground and dusted my clothes. "I just want to be stronger like you. To be on par with the —."

"Then don't. What they have is only an illusion. For us, we gained strength through adversity and hardships. They only gained through favors and their beliefs they are immortals. We may be –, but we're still vulnerable as beings."

Vulnerable, huh? I guess this is why I was born into this life.

"Yeah, I guess. Compared to them, I'm mostly lucky to be a..."

Fledgling.

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I groaned as I opened my eyes. Was someone calling for me?

Fledgling, wake up. I know you're still alive.

Alive...? And who was that voice?

Do you think you're dead right now? Wake up!

As if the gears rolled in my head, I gasped in realization. I got up from wherever I was lying and as soon as I saw my surroundings, I wasn't in the ravine anymore. I was in a cave. And I wasn't alone as I looked up and saw the same black dragon from before.

Ah, you're awake. I was wondering how long till you stop lazing around in my lair.

Their "lair"... I guessed he was talking about this cave. But something wasn't right. I wasn't supposed to be here. Heck, I got a lot of questions right now about this!

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Before you start asking, I'll answer some that are lingering in your mind right now. One, you are not dead. Two, you won the bout fair and square. Three, you fainted as soon as I caught you in my hand. And three, I'm a male. I have a gender, you rude fledgling!

I flinched a bit after hearing his answers. I never thought they... I mean, he was a sensitive kind of dragon. Reminds me of that blue dragon from that isekai novel about a slime.

"Right... So why am I here anyway?" I asked. "To be your next meal?"

The dragon growled as if he was annoyed at what I said.

I took you here because I have to get you away from the aggressive demons passing through the ravine. I can't leave you alone to die there like that.

Why? Because he wanted to torture me.

And again, I'm not going to eat you or torture you or anything you thought I might harm you in some way! It's getting annoying.

I flinched again. "Seriously, stop reading my mind! How the hell did you do that anyway?"

For some reason, I noticed him smirking under his fanged scaly mouth.

It's one of my [Talents]. I know it's a bit unprecedented for a black dragon such as myself to possess this power. But let's just say it's better than my last meal who tried to abuse it to satisfy his twisted desires for the gore and despair of others.

Okay, I rather not touch that topic forever.

Rest assured that you and I are the only ones who can communicate through my [Talent]. No demon nor human can hear us a mile away even if they have the same power as mine.

That's good news. But it still didn't make sense to me. "Why did you save me? Why go through everything only for you to save my ass afterward?"

Because you have amazing potential. You possessed an abundant amount of Mana within you and it would be a waste for someone like you to die unceremoniously in the Demon Territory.

I scoffed at his so-called compliments. "Yeah, right. No matter what you put it, I'm still human. I'm hopeless with my family, wasted everything in my life, and useless in my former company. You can say I'm only an expendable to both worlds I'm in." I dryly chuckled after I said those words. "Besides, the only reason why I'm still alive is this stupid ring." I showed him the said item that was still stuck on one of my left hand's fingers. "I can't get rid of it, but it did help me survive all the way here. Which is surprising considering my worthlessness. I don't know why it showed up on my doorstep, but it was fun while it lasted. Once I leave here, I'm going to be demon food again once I exhaust most of my Mana. That doesn't mean I would give up afterward."

I stood up and dusted what was left of my suit, which I was surprised was still intact along with my glasses' frame despite the shit I went through. "Thanks for the compliments, dragon. But I should be going now. I rather move on than stay here as a coward. Might as well die fighting than cower like those soldiers and that college kid." I now accepted that this dragon won't hurt me. But it would be a waste if I stay here as a freeloader. Not to mention that living in the dragon's cave would not help my back when sleeping or sharing a portion of food with him.

So regardless of what I say, you're still letting those words from your tormentors get to you, huh?

I sighed as I stood right in front of the large exit right in front of me. "I'm not. You said it yourself. I can't let them get to me now that I'm gone from my world. However, I still don't trust this world and what will it do to me afterward. I learned that the people here see us non-blessed as useless. Even with your help, it won't change my position in this world's hierarchy. Whether I live or die in this territory, the results will be the same."

Hmmm... Then how about you try another perspective? One that God and the people who worshiped them missed?

I raised an eyebrow at his words. "Another perspective? What the hell are you ta-"

Before I could finish, the dragon suddenly grabbed me with his claws and walked out of his lair with me in hand. "What the fuck are you doing?! I thought you were not going to kill me!"

I'm not, fledgling. I'm only taking you somewhere where you can give yourself and this world another chance. Now hang on! Flying through the mist isn't as smooth as you think.

Mist?! I tried to say one more word to him. But it was too late as the dragon jumped up to the sky and flapped his wings before he speed off through the clouds. And being a passenger on his clawed hands, I couldn't handle it as I could do nothing but scream at the dragon.

"WHY YOU DAMN LIZARD!!!!"

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I gasped in exhaustion after an hour of flight courtesy of a large lizard with wings. Just how fast was he flying anyway?! Was he a rocket or jet in disguise?! I almost threw up during the flight and even feared that he might accidentally let me go. Thankfully, he managed to let me go after we landed safely on the ground, giving me time to catch my breath and probably threw up, which I didn't, much to my relief.

Here we are. Glad I remember where it is this time.

However, once I got my bearings together, I noticed my surroundings were covered by a thick fog. I could see some shadows from afar, but I couldn't see anything from here. "Yeah. Except where is here exactly? I can't see shit around here."

Patience. I was about to show you where you will be staying for a while.

Before I could ask, the dragon flapped his wings, creating a strong gust of wind that seemed to be enough to blow the fog away. I tried to endure it by covering my face with my arms so I won't fly off like a helpless balloon, which I doubt would help anything with that stupidity. But it seemed to die out before I felt like I'm losing my balance from it. When I put down my arms and opened my eyes, I gasped to see what was behind the fog.

It was a large gray mansion surrounded by a garden of purple flowers. It wasn't as big as the ones I saw in anime, but I could tell it had about 2 floors inside along with 6 windows right in front of the exterior two brown wooden doors, and a strange crest engraved between the windows. As I walked through the garden, I could smell a pungent, yet relaxing smell. Something that reminded me a lot of the one I used back in my apartment. I took a closer look at the flowers and it was only when I saw the small petals around the stem that made me realize where the smell came from.

"Lavender... And there are a lot of them here," I commented.

Yes. In here, we called them the [Shadow Lavender]. This was the former owner's favorite flower. He tended to his garden like his own child every day until his passing. I tried to keep it from wilting, but even with my tremendous powers, I still have my limits when it came to this garden.

In other words, he wasn't much of a gardener. But that sounded like he needed a lot of dedication to keep this garden from wilting. Probably for the best considering how beautiful it looked and the fact there were other herbs and flowers behind the Shadow Lavender flowers.

"I'm surprised a desolated place like the Demon Territory would still be able to grow flowers and herbs here."

You'd be surprised what humans didn't tell you about it.

Good point. Traversing through this territory was a death sentence for them and I barely survived getting through it before the dragon arrived. "Are you sure you won't mind letting me stay in that house for a night?"

I doubt it. You said it yourself. The Demon Territory is no place for a young man like you and it would be better if you stay here for more than a night. I already called the current master of the house and they have no qualms about you staying there for a while.

Wow, I never knew both the dragon and whoever owned this house were considerate. Too considerate... I get he was trying to help me, but...

And there you go again, being all overly cautious at a small detail.

I flinched. I couldn't believe this dragon was reading my mind again! "Were my suspicions turning into a bad habit?"

I'm afraid so. I assure you that the master will never do something nefarious against you. You are a special guest in need of shelter and it would be rude for us to leave you in the desolated parts of the territory.

I don't know about that. But he's right. Nothing good would come out if I keep being suspicious of everything here. All I need was a safe haven and away from those carnivorous demons.

"I guess I should go inside then. What are you gonna do now, dragon?" I asked, seeing he might not be able to fit into the doors because... You know...

I will guide you through the master's mansion through my [Telepathy]. It's alright, I will tell you where to go and what room you are not allowed in without his permission.

Huh. What a courteous offer from the dragon. Though I'm still perplexed about how he even knows where to go inside despite his size.

And before you go on calling me "dragon" again, the name is Casia, the great black dragon guarding the House of Lavender!

...What.

Don't go all "what" on me! That's the name my current master gave me!

I smirked at the thought of that strange name. "Strange. Cause to me, "Casia" sounds like a g-"

Okay, enough! Anyone insulting my name will meet my [Dark Blaze] that will never burn out from your body!

I briefly snickered before I regained composure. "Right, right... Sorry, Casia. I should get inside before it gets dark."

I took a deep breath of lavender still lingering in the air and I walked to the house where I stepped inside the house. Once I did, I gasped to see the lobby as I opened the unlocked doors. I was greeted by a large staircase that split into two paths to the second floor and a large picture frame. Normally in some anime that featured this same set-up, the large picture frame often showed the portrait of the house's head or patriarch. But for some reason, it only has a painting of a full moon bathed in blood red. The very same one I saw shining above me outside. Right near me were two potted plants placed on both corners beside me. Both of them also had several Shadow Lavenders on display, which I could take Casia's word for regarding the former master's...strange obsession with them.

As I took a few steps inside, I couldn't help but feel relaxed as I looked around. It might be because of the lavender scent invading almost of my 5 senses the longer I stay in here. And it wasn't at the entrance. As I was guided by Casia through his telepathy, I saw there were about 5 bedrooms with restrooms similar to an apartment, some rooms that I couldn't enter because they were locked, and a surprisingly spacious lounge located on the ground floor next to the dining room and a kitchen with pantry. Except in the kitchen, I could smell the [Shadow Lavender] scattered around the house as decor. I wish I could have questioned more about it, but I was too exhausted to think for today. That fight and the overwhelming scent almost took my energy out of it and from what I saw in this house so far, there were no demons around to ambush me. At least when Casia was around.

Eventually, I entered one of the bedrooms to rest. This one seemed to have a dark purple regal wallpaper plastered around me along with Shadow Lavender flowers placed inside the vases at every corner. As I removed my worn shoes and socks, I could feel the fuzziness of the black carpet spread around the floor. It was very soft and fluffy, which reminded me of my own carpet back home. I also saw a large bed with a black comforter blanket and purple pillow seemingly lined up nice and tidy and a wooden bedtable right next to it that has a strange ornament similar to a bedside lamp. On the corner were a wooden desk and table with a quill and inkwell sitting on the top of the former, which was also neatly placed. Just looking at this room made me wonder how tidy it was despite the owner of the house wasn't home for a while. Again, I'm too tired to think and I should head off to bed before I start stressing it over about it.

"I supposed this house has a shower or anything I can take a bath in it," I snarked while I placed my briefcase against the bedside table before I lay down on the bed.

Little. I heard from the current owner that you use magic to create a rain shower to douse yourself in the bathtub.

Why did I ask that to a dragon at all? But I'm surprised this current owner knew about showers in a vague detail of sorts. But as much as I want to take a bath to get rid of my sweaty suit, I feel like I'm about to lose consciousness at any point from the lavender smell and my exhaustion.

In any case, you should rest for the night, Fledgling. I'll see what I can do to help you at this time. Don't worry. The magic defense system installed in the house will defend you from demons while you sleep.

I would ask if he knows a way out of this territory, but I still need to take care of this so-called mission that the message assigned to me first.

"Appreciate the effort, Casia." I yawned as I get myself prepared to go to sleep. "Now if you excuse me, I need to...close my eyes."

As soon as I placed my head on the pillow, I could feel the nostalgia of sleeping on my bed back in my apartment. Compared to it, this one was more comfortable and relaxing than the small bed I had to put up due to the small space of my one-man apartment. But I couldn't think anymore. I just want to sleep and forget my troubles for a while.

Just...let me...sleep...

...Good night, Fledgling. Sweet dreams.

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[??? Check: 12%]

[??? Check: 88%]